Philosophy of Education
This is not intended as a static document, but a living and ever-changing dialogue of what is important to me in education as I gain experience this will morph and change.
Education is the art and science of encouraging the development of critical thinking skills in students for use when solving concrete problems they encounter. Life does not happen inside an isolated vacuum, and education should prepare children for the realities of complex thinking in real-world contexts. For me, this means engaging students with true to life problems and guiding them through the process of implementing their ever- improving critical thinking skills when exploring solutions.
As a teacher I hope to provide students with a positive, safe, and hospitable space where they are not judged and can escape any tragedy in their lives. To create this space, trust must be nurtured between students and teacher to develop empathetic relationships in the classroom; in this safe space the students will relax and be themselves, free from fear of censure. I intend to listen to my students, celebrate their successes and allow them to take ownership of their learning through decision making. Scaffolding teaching to fit the children and by providing multiple entry points to engage in the learning will remove barriers to learning and will encourage risk-taking. As students engage in new skills, they will become more competent and their self-efficacy will increase. With confidence in themselves, children will more easily be able to determine who they are and what their place in the world is. Without a safe space and an empathetic mentor who teaches to the inner world of a learner, a student may build so many layers around their true self that they may never know who they truly are.
Success in teaching for me is having every student engaged and participating in collaborative knowledge building activities. It means students leaving the classroom with more skills than they came into the class with. I believe in the ability for students to critically think and evaluate problems in real world context. Students should be conscious of their own unique perspectives, demonstrate respect for themselves and others, and enjoy a strong sense of belonging. I believe that to engage students one should teach to real problems that students can work at collaboratively.
I think one of the most motivating forces in education is a child's curiosity - and using that curiosity can fuel great questions and inquiry. I believe that each subject and situation requires a different mode of teaching, but at the core of that needs to be the learners needs. I believe that a combination of inquiry, projects, and group discussions should be implemented to engage the students and give opportunity for collaboration in the classroom. I think that group discussions around social issues can be extremely helpful to bring opinions out and allow the students to become globally aware.
Education is the art and science of encouraging the development of critical thinking skills in students for use when solving concrete problems they encounter. Life does not happen inside an isolated vacuum, and education should prepare children for the realities of complex thinking in real-world contexts. For me, this means engaging students with true to life problems and guiding them through the process of implementing their ever- improving critical thinking skills when exploring solutions.
As a teacher I hope to provide students with a positive, safe, and hospitable space where they are not judged and can escape any tragedy in their lives. To create this space, trust must be nurtured between students and teacher to develop empathetic relationships in the classroom; in this safe space the students will relax and be themselves, free from fear of censure. I intend to listen to my students, celebrate their successes and allow them to take ownership of their learning through decision making. Scaffolding teaching to fit the children and by providing multiple entry points to engage in the learning will remove barriers to learning and will encourage risk-taking. As students engage in new skills, they will become more competent and their self-efficacy will increase. With confidence in themselves, children will more easily be able to determine who they are and what their place in the world is. Without a safe space and an empathetic mentor who teaches to the inner world of a learner, a student may build so many layers around their true self that they may never know who they truly are.
Success in teaching for me is having every student engaged and participating in collaborative knowledge building activities. It means students leaving the classroom with more skills than they came into the class with. I believe in the ability for students to critically think and evaluate problems in real world context. Students should be conscious of their own unique perspectives, demonstrate respect for themselves and others, and enjoy a strong sense of belonging. I believe that to engage students one should teach to real problems that students can work at collaboratively.
I think one of the most motivating forces in education is a child's curiosity - and using that curiosity can fuel great questions and inquiry. I believe that each subject and situation requires a different mode of teaching, but at the core of that needs to be the learners needs. I believe that a combination of inquiry, projects, and group discussions should be implemented to engage the students and give opportunity for collaboration in the classroom. I think that group discussions around social issues can be extremely helpful to bring opinions out and allow the students to become globally aware.
